Desk appliance



Feb.27,1945. F. RIGGIO y 2,370,372

DESK APPLIANCE Filed May 12, 1942 M MM Patented Feb. 27, 1945 UNITEDSTATES. PATENT (OFFICE DESK APPLIANCE Frank Biggie, `Los Angeles,Calif., assigner to Anderson School Equipment Co., Los Angeles,

Calif., a corporation of California Application May 12, 1942, Serial No.442,589

z'olaims. `(el. 311-17) v This .invention relates to means for mountingor supporting typewriters, adding machines, etc., and has more`particular reference to means for adapting a conventional desk, table,or'l the like,

to carry or mount a typewriter, adding machine, l

or similar device. A general object of this invention is to provide asimple, practical and highly effective device applicable to a typicaloiiice desk, or the like, and operable to support a typewriter or addingmachine in position for convenient use;

Many devices have ybeen developed for supporting typewriters and addingmachines on office desks and tables. So far as I am aware all of theseprior devices embody metal brackets, metali braces, metal attachingparts, etc., and, in most instances, the prior devices have been heavy'and costly and required permanent or semi-permanent attachment to thedesk or table.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means for mounting orsupporting a typewriter Aon a typical oiice desk, table, or like articleoi furniture that may Abe constructed entirely of wood. The improved'device of the present invention does not involve or require any metalbrackets, braces, or other metal parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a typewriter mountingmeans of the character mentioned that may be securely and dependably` oradding machine on a'desk, table, or the like,v

that may be very easily and quickly installed for use and readilyremoved after use. The installation and removal oi the device requireonly a few seconds and do not necessitate the use of tools.

The various objectsv and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of typical preferredforms and applications of my invention, throughout which descriptionreference is Amade to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a conventional deskshowinga'preferred embodiment of the invention in the operative positionthereon. Fig. 24 is an enlarged fragmentary verelevation of another formof the invention `rel moved from the deskf y The typewriter mountingmeans of the present invention is adapted to be applied to previouslyconstructed desks andvit is al feature ofthe invention that the devicemay be used with conventional desks, tables, etc.,withoutqany'modication whatever in the original desk' or tablestructure. The use of the devicedoes'not necessitate the alteration ofany desk partsand upon the removal of the device the desk may berestored to its original or; normal condition with its full drawercapacity: It is to 'be understood that the proportions of the' devicemaybevaried to adapt it for use with different makes, styles and kindsof desks and tables and that minor variations may be necessary in thedevice in certain instances. Accordingly,v the invention is not to beconstrued as limited or restricted tothe specic forms and applicationsof the invention herein described.

The desk illustrated inthe drawingr is ofua type used in ofces, schools,residences', etc., and comprises a top l0 and supporting legs II'.Theportion of the desk illustrated has ay pair of" front legs II and, inaccordance with the usual practice, a tier of drawers- I2 is providedVbetween the legs. A center drawer I3 is also provided and is rathershallow tol leave ample space for the knees of the user. A pulleoutwriting board I4 is directly above. the drawers I2 and is below the topI0. The fronts oi the drawers I2 havel suit-v able pulls I=5 andthedrawerffronts may normally lie hush with the front ofthe desk. Inaccordance with the usual practice: the drawers I2k are spaced apart attheiry fronts by horizontal spacing members IB; The members` I6. extend:be-

' `tween the legs II and are: rigid or fixed parts of the desk. An uppermember I 6 occurs between I2 because this places the device in position'for the support of the typewriter at a correct elevation for use by a.person seated at the desk The improved typewriter mounting means of theinvention may be said to comprise, generally, a supporting or mountingboard I1 for the typewriter, or the like, means I8 on the board I1 forbearing in and occupying the mouth of the drawer space and means I9 forlatching or retaining the device in the drawer space.

The board I1 is provided to carry the typewriter, adding machine, orother machine that is to be used at the desk. rThe board' I1 is agenerally rectangular or substantially square member and preferably hassubstantial thickness to have ample mass and weight to give stability-to the device. In practice the board I1 may be formed of the same stockas the desk top III and, if desired, may have the same finish as thedesk top and other parts of the desk. In accordance with the inventionthe board I1 is adapted or intended to occupy a horizontal positionwhere it projects forwardly from the front of the desk. In the preferredconstruction the exposed major portion of the board I1 is broader orwider than the top drawer space. In the case illustrated the board I1 isof substantial width to have two opposite longitudinal edges in the samevertical planes asthe outer sides of the spaced legs I I.

The board I1 has an inner or rear portion of reduced width which I willterm a tongue 20. The tongue 20 is of such Width that it may be readilyentered in the top drawer space of the desk. Rearwardly facing shoulders2| occur at the opposite longitudinal edges of the board I1 where thetongue 20 joins the body of the board. These shoulders 2I are engageablewith the forward faces of the legs II to limit the inward movement ofthe board. The shoulders 2I formed on the thick board I1 are ofextensivey area and have ample bearing engagement with the legs II. Thereduced portion or tongue 2|) of the board is preferably proportioned sothat its opposite edges may cooperate with the inner sides of the legsII to further steady the devicev and to assist in holding it againstlateral shifting. As best illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing thetongue 20 is adapted to extend a considerable distance into the drawerspace. It will be observed that the board I1 is a simple one piecemember of wood, or the like.

The means I8 is operable to iit or bear in the drawer space to supportor mount the board I1. The'means I8 includes a strip member 22 on theupper side of the board I1 and a similar strip member 23 on the underside of the board. The members 22 and 23 are rigidly iixed to the boardI1 and extend transversely thereof. The members 22 and 23 are located toengage in the mouth of the drawer space or opening, the membersoccurring in a common vertical plane where the tongue 20 joins the bodyof the board I1. This isbest illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing whereit will be seen that the forward faces of the members 22 and 23 are inthe same vertical plane asA drawer opening to assist in steadying thedevice and to hold the device against horizontal or lateral movement.The members 22 and 23 are preferably proportioned to completely occupythose parts of the drawer opening above and below the board I1. In otherwords, 'the lower edge of the member 23 is adapted to rest on the deskmember IE, which defines the lower wall of the drawer receiving openingand the upper edge of the member 22 may cooperate with the lower side ofthe member I6 which denes the upper wall of the drawer opening. Thelower rear corner of the member 23 is bevelled off or rounded away as at24 to facilitate the insertion and removal of the board I1, as will belater described. It will be -seen that the engagement of the members 22and 23 in the drawer opening holds the board I1 against lateral movementin both directions and holds the board against bodily downward movement;and against bodily upward movement. Further, the members 22 and 23occupy or close the mouth of the drawer space to give the desk and deskattachment a finished appearance.

The means I9 serves to removably latch the board I1 in the operativeposition on the desk and to dependably support the board againstdownward tilting or swinging. I'he means I9 includes one or more latchblocks 25 for cooperating with the inner side of the uppermost member I6to securely hold the board I1 against downward swinging. In thepreferred construction illustrated there are two latch blocks 25 xed onthe upper side of the tongue 20 and spaced apart to run along thelongitudinal edges of the tongue. The latch blocks 25 may extendrearwardly from the member 22 to the rear end of the tongue. The blocks25 may be simple members of wood. As clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and5 of the drawing, the latch blocks 25 are of greater height than themember 22 to project upwardly beyond the member so that their forwardends 26 constitute forwardly facing shoulders 26 for cooperating withthe rear face of the uppermost member I6. The cooperation of theshoulders 26 with the rear side of the member I6 positively holds theboard I1 against bodily forward movement. and prevents downward tippingor swinging of the board I1 under the weight of the typewriter or otherobject `placed on the board. The upper edges of the blocks 25 preferablyremain clear of the pull-out writing board I4 but, in some cases, it maybe desired to proportion the blocks 25 so that their upper edges maybear on the writing board I4.

' to hold the board I1 against the upward swinging movement required asa preliminary to withdrawal or removal of the device. The latch 29 maybe a simple elongate part pivotally secured on the forward face of themember 22 by a pivot pin 30. The latch 29 is movable between asubstantially horizontal position Where it is clear of the drawerdefining member I6 and a substantially vertical position, such asillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, where it cooperates withthe member I6 to hold the board I1 against upward swinging and inwardmovement. The latch 29 is not required in every application of theinvention and is an optional element.

It is to be understood that where the device is to be used in a tabledrawer space the parts may be proportioned to lit the table drawer spacewhich is usually shallower than a typical desk drawer space.

Fig. of the drawing illustrates an embodiment of the invention having anapron 3| on the board II. the outer edge ofv the board I'I, that is,from the edge of the board that is most remote from the knee hole of thedesk. The apron 3I may be proportioned so that its lower edge is asubstantial distance above the oor and so that its inner edge engages oris immediately adjacent the front face of the desk. It is preferred toeither hingedly or removably secure the apron to the base or board. Inthe case, illustrated hinges 32 secure the apron 3| to the board II so`that it may be folded against the board for storage purposes, etc.

It is believed that the utility and practicability' of the typewritermountingA means will be readily understood from the foregoing detaileddescription. Preparatory to using or installing the device the selecteddrawer is removed from the desk. In this connection it should beobserved that the device may be mounted at either side of a desk havingtwo spaced tiers of drawers. It is usually preferable to remove theuppermost drawer of the selected tier. With the drawer removed thetongue is entered in the drawer space and the board I'I is manipulatedor, tipped up and then swung down, to engage the latch blocks y behindthe uppermost member I6. This brings the shoulders 26 against the memberI6 and positions the members 22 and 23 in the mouth of the drawer spaceso that the lower edge of the member 23 rests on the member I6 whichdefines the lower wall of the drawer space. Where the device embodiesthe latch 29 the latch may then be pivoted to cooperate with the forwardface of the uppermost member I 6. The device is then in-condition foruse. A typewriter, adding machine, or the like, may be placed on orsecured to the horizontal board I1 proliecting from the face of thedesk.

When it is desired to remove the boardI'I the latch 29 is swung free ofthe uppermost desk member I6. The board I'I is then swung upwardly fromits outer end and its inner part is moved downwardly to disengage theshoulders 26 from vthe uppermost member I6 of the desk. With the latchblocks 25 disengaged from the uppermost member I6 the board may bereadily withdrawn from the desk. The rounded corthe invention may beconstructed of wood, or

The apron 3I may depend from the like. The board I l, the members 22 and23 and the latch blocks 25 areall of such nature that they may beconstructed of wood.

Having described typical preferred' forms and applications of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fallwithin the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A device for use on a desk having a drawerreceiving opening with amember extending across the top of the entrance to theppening, thedevice including a supporting board having a tongue of reduced widthadapted to be introduced into the entrance of said opening, atransversely disposed strip on the upper side of the tongue adapted toengage in the entrance of said opening and bear upwardly against theunder side of said member, a transversely disposed strip on the underside of the tongue adapted to engage in the entrance of said opening andrest against the lower wall of said entrance, and blocks on the upfperside of the tongue extending rearwardly from the first named strip, theforward ends of the blocks being adapted to latch with the rear side ofsaid member to re-' leasably hold the board in the supporting position.

2. A device for use on a desk having a space for receiving a drawer orthe like with a member extending across the top 'of the entrance to thespace, the device including a supporting board having a tongue oflreduced width adapted to be introduced into the entrance of said space,a transversely disposed strip on the upper side of the tongue adapted toengage in the entrance of said space and bear upwardly against the underside of said member, a transversely disposed strip on the under side ofthe tongue adapted I to engage in the entrance of said space and restagainst the lower wall of said entrance the tongue and said stripscompletely occupying said entrance of the space, one or morelatch blockson the upper side of the tongue for cooperating with the rear side ofsaid member to latch the board in supporting position, and a latch onther first named strip for cooperating with1 the forward side of saidmember to prevent upward swinging of the board.

FRANK RIGGIO.

